Description
Frank Peluso ✨
My first landlord at 1425. He did my accounting for free for 14 years. Even drove 150 Ks to see me after I was released from hospital 1995, to assist me with TAC to help my business survive. What a truly amazing giving friend ✨
Andy Quin, my second accountant and ex brother in law that helped myself and Donna through so much with the Tax Man! Exceptional ✨
Margaret Walker,
A gifted woman indeed. My mother In-laws matron of honour. Margaret lived in Sydney and kindly gave me years of assistance with Antique fairs✨
Glenn Watson,
Yet another valuable supportive friend. He helped me build the huge art side of my business.
I’ll forever be grateful ✨
Peter Thomas,
Began as a customer ended up as a very close friend. One of the wisest advice givers in business and personal I’ve ever known.
So kind and caring you are✨
Toni Curtis,
Once again a likeable customer, becoming another of my closest life friends. Always appreciated for her incredibly wise mind and solid as a rock support ✨
One kindly educated me in how to identify and restore period oak and a lot more. How to price correctly✨ Golden advice ✨ Many important tips on becoming professional and for that I’ll be forever grateful.
He also helped me obtain some of the best furniture I’ve ever handled.
One helped guide me into importing the best of English country furniture for many years. Contacts are everything!
Also assisted me at many interstate fairs every year for many.
So many fantastic memories and laughs Mike✨
One referred and supplied me with restoration work from day one until now… He still has a sign with my name and services on his business wall. When I was in a serious accident 30 years ago, John Ainger rang my staff and said, if the business needs support to keep going until Jamie comes through, please call me.
One, that has imported much of the best French and European pieces I’ve sold over the past decades, has supported me to no end and at the same time been a very loyal friend.
One gave me some incredible Australian art from his MFA in lieu of payment for restoration, and did a lot more with me over the years. Such a kind friend.
One hand painted a Celtic rope design around both showrooms dating back to 1994 and 1997, among many other generous things and a great friendship we once had.
Several wonderful women happily manned my showrooms over the years, until I sold and started sizing down again nearly a decade ago.
You’re all very special to me and I miss you all, Mary, Bridget, Suzy and Suellen✨✨✨
Bridget Evans will always shine bright, as her gifted mind assisted me in many decorating endeavours, especially The Johnston Collection 2010.
Her gifted eye placing the smalls, eased my mind to focus on the furniture and cleaning up the staircase at the same time…
Bridget and Suzy hand painted the dark green and gold wall sconces that simply didn’t blend with the kitchen, matching them to the wall colour. Exceptional ✨✨
One wrote promotional stories about my business and services, over and over, because she believed in me. What an amazing woman was Carolyn McDowell✨ “Culture Concept Circle”
One made the move from NZ a year before I joined him in the mid 80s, thank you Robert Bogusz for being the reason I found Melbourne and a further thank you for the four beautiful children I helped create here.
One stocked my showroom with chandeliers when I first opened, with a very generous commission offered, Gary Kay was a “Best Friend” to many in the trade.
One gave me one month credit when I purchased from the company he managed at such a young age, we ended up best of friends and I was proudly his best man✨ Paul Sumner has also many times helped me in business, such a kind, supportive friend.
One I restored the interior of his amazing home “Invergowrie”
Jacky Taranto was such a kind and supportive soul. I met a great friend “Daniel” during the process, the God Father of my youngest son Luke. Who also helped me in many ways with my shop, home and personal struggles.
Behruz Aligorgi was a friend like no other. Anyone blessed to have known him will feel exactly the same. Such an inspiring, loving human being✨
Can’t explain how much I miss him.
Many exceptional Australian artists have either loaned me art to use in promotions or trusted me to sell on their behalf.
Several have helped me in my showrooms over the years, certainly far more givers than takers, thank you all❤️
One trusted me with a type of bridging finance when I was selling our family home, (I didn’t even have to ask) a lot of money, plus other important help and a great mate! thank you Martin.
One has done a lot of amazing cabinet making for me and my customers over the years, he’s even made front doors of the highest quality. Yet another very close kind friend.
One has shown me how to incorporate stronger modern finishes on the early tables I sell, such a great help, Robert also introduced me to Andrew (above) 1990.
Mary Carson✨
Became a close friend, another one passed on that I miss so much. Mary kicked my butt two years ago to start writing full descriptions on my price tags again ( I had lost interest)
My mother Nina and father Neville, both believed in me my entire time in business, until
they both passed. Their support will forever be treasured✨✨
It’s in my later years I realised just how blessed I am to have close immediate family that have been my rocks over the past years. Forever giving of themselves, can’t thank you both enough Maxine & Eddie.
Maxine does everything I can’t quite do, makes my life so much nicer. Eddie, the same in our workshop, enduring support and exceptional work 💛💛
Even the first mentioned,
My original boss, teaching me the art of restoration, buying and selling from the late 70s, Johnny.
Much I could say, but that I won’t, that’s another story I started writing 2015.
But, whatever occurred I’m still very grateful for what I learnt and the tradesman I became.
I may well add more names, as four only came to me just now.
John Henry Walter Cockburn✨
Robert Bogusz
Shane Smith
Todd Richards
Geoffrey Fisk✨
John Ainger
Bryan Collie
Rohan Fielding
Francis Dunn
Ken Wharton
Bruce Borchers✨
Gary Kay✨
David Glyn Davies
Paul Sumner
Graeme Brown✨
Robert Brown
Andrew Vankaathoven
Max Milton✨
Jacky Taranto✨
Daniel Dadian
Justin James O’Connor✨
Robert Wilson
Frank Peluso✨
Behruz Aligorgi✨
Kate Aston
Keren Lewis
Nina Mielnik✨
Donna Allpress
Mary Adamson
Bridget Evans
Mike Preeston
Jan Smeaton
Suellen Quin
Suzi Mann
Carolyn McDowell✨
Neville Allpress✨
Eddie Mielnik
Maxine Allpress
Pheonix Smith
Jack Smith
Joe Brearly
Martin Strode
Barb Cooper
Chris Watson
Mali Moir
Peter Thomas
Margaret Walker
Andy Quin
Bill Henson
Martin Tighe
Lydia Ciconte
Jimmy Jesus Christakopoulos
Antonitta Curtis
Paul OBrian
Mary Carson
Tiana McHale